2026 Virginia Data Science Teacher Institute

About the Institute

The 2026 Virginia Data Science Teacher Professional Learning Institute will bring educators together at George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus for two days of professional learning focused on data science, computational thinking, modeling, and AI in education.

The institute is designed for grades 7–12 mathematics, science, and computer science teachers; instructional coaches; division specialists; and university faculty who support or plan to teach the Virginia Data Science high school course, as well as educators focused on data literacy and mathematical modeling. 

Participants will explore practical ways to teach data science through real-world data sets, student-centered investigations, visualization tools, collaboration, and data literacy skills that support college and career readiness.

Teachers will:

• Learn through exploration of data
• Formulate questions through task- and project-based data investigations
• Choose data sets connected to local context and learner interests
• Follow a data cycle process
• Expose students to many types of data
• Model students’ personal experiences using data structures beyond flat, row-by-column data
• Choose tools for data visualization and analysis
• Communicate by posing questions, collaborating with peers, and tailoring data presentations to specific audiences
• Build data literacy skills that prepare students for postsecondary opportunities, including college and career pathways

Event Details

Dates: June 22–23, 2026

Location:
Katherine G. Johnson Hall
George Mason University Science and Technology Campus
10890 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110

Day 1: Monday, June 22
9 a.m. Breakfast and registration
9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Program and lunch

Day 2: Tuesday, June 23
8 a.m. Breakfast and registration
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Program and lunch

REGISTER TO ATTEND